Terms & Conditions Placements

Article 1. Definitions

The terms of this agreement are defined as follows:

Stage-USA: Based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, the owner

Applicant: Any person who fills out a Stage-USA application and has an interview with a Stage-USA representative. This person is free of any obligations up until the point of paying the deposit (post interview)

Participant: Any person to whom Stage-USA provides its service, or any person with whom Stage-USA has an agreement or with whom Stage-USA is in negotiation of an agreement

Program: The service which the participant applies for (internship, graduation assignment, traineeship, visa service, work & travel)

Position: The tasks and description of the program of the host company provided to the participant by Stage-USA

Host company: The business located abroad where the participant potentially participates in the program

Agreement: Any arrangement made between Stage-USA and the participant or any change that follows

Article 2. Obligations of Stage-USA

Stage-USA is obligated to provide the services that are sold.

Article 3. Terms & Conditions

Terms and conditions: One or more terms developed in order to include a number of agreements, with the exception of terms that form the core of the common language.

The one taking part in a Stage-USA program, called the participant, must agree to the general conditions or they must make it clear if something in the agreement is unknown. The participant agrees to these terms upon payment of the deposit.

Article 4. Give the approval of the Terms & Conditions

Filling out the application form is free of obligations. After filling out the application form, applicant can have an obligation-free interview with a Stage-USA representative. Stage-USA and the applicant may come to an agreement during this interview. After possibly coming to an agreement about a program during the interview, the applicant has the option to pay the deposit. By paying the deposit, applicant agrees to the terms and conditions and becomes a participant.

Article 5. Canceling the program

Article 5a: Stage-USA is not liable for the results of the participant during the program period at the host company. If the participant gets fired due to the fault of the participant, Stage-USA can find another program placement for a fee, if it is possible within the participant’s J-1 visa limits.

Article 5b: Stage-USA is not liable or responsible for any problems arising due to the school results of the participant. If the participant’s school results for any reason effect the program dates or their ability to take part in the program, the participant will still be charged the full mediation cost of the program.

Article 6. Flight and Visa

Article 6a: If there is any change in the flight to the destination, Stage-USA is not responsible. If the participant is not present on the start date of his or her program, or if the host company cancels the program, Stage-USA is not liable. The participant has the option of having Stage-USA look for a new program for an additional fee.

Article 6b: If a participant is going to the United States of America through a program where he or she earns study credit through his or her educational institution, he or she will always have to travel on a J-1 visa. Travel on a B or Tourist visa is not permitted through Stage-USA. Please check the Terms & Conditions for a Visa Inquiry here.

Article 7. Housing

Housing will be arranged by the participant together with Stage-USA if needed. The participant must reserve the actual housing upon arrival, with assistance from Stage-USA. Stage-USA does not guarantee housing quality such as facilities, hygiene, furniture, or safety. Stage-USA is not responsible for possible damage or disturbance caused by the participant. On the website www.stage-usa.net, Stage-USA provides housing price estimates. These estimates can fluctuate depending on the season, the value of the dollar, the length of the program, and the location of the program.

Article 8. Application & Payments

Article 8a: The filling out of the application form by the applicant on the Stage-USA website is free of obligation. The applicant will be contacted after filling out the application form to set up an intake interview. During this interview, the applicant will discuss his or her internship needs and come to an agreement with the Stage-USA representative. If the applicant wishes to continue using the services of Stage-USA, he or she will then pay the deposit and sign the Program Agreement. Paying the deposit and signing the Program Agreement also means agreeing to the Terms & Conditions of Stage-USA. The applicant will not be charged for the deposit until he or she agrees to continue using the services of Stage-USA. The deposit is €350.

Article 8b: During the interview, the applicant will give an accurate description of the type of program he or she wishes to participate in. This description will be included in the Program Agreement that the applicant will sign when paying the deposit. Based on the description provided by the applicant, Stage-USA will attempt to match the needs as closely as possible. If the participant or the educational institution of the participant does not agree to the program found by Stage-USA, but the program matches the needs described by the participant during the interview and signed in the Program Agreement, the deposit will not be returned. When Stage-USA finds a suitable position based on the Program Agreement, and the participant agrees to this position, the participant will be charged the remaining mediation cost. The agreement to the position can be given either verbally or in writing by the participant to Stage-USA. There are exceptions to this rule based on Article 8c.

Article 8c: A participant can cancel mediation in the case of an immediate family member passing away. In this case, the participant will receive a refund of €175,-. If the participant has already been hired for a program, the mediation and visa costs will not be reimbursed.

Article 8d: Stage-USA offers an unlimited number of Host Company options. If the participant cancels the program, and has either been introduced at 2 or more Host Companies, denied 2 or more Host Companies or applicant turned down 2 or more Host Companies, the deposit will not be reimbursed.

Article 8e: The invoices from Stage-USA must be paid within 10 days. If it is not paid within 10 days, Stage-USA will send a reminder and the invoice must be paid within 5 days from that point. If the amount is not paid within those 5 days, a collection agency will be contacted and the participant will be charged an extra fee. Invoices will be sent online by email.

Article 8f: Reimbursements of deposit (€175) can be given by Stage-USA to the participant if the participant meets the following requirements:

Stage-USA has up to 6 weeks before the agreed start date of the program that is listed on the Program Agreement to find a suitable program for the participant and Stage-USA has at least 2 months time to find a suitable position. These two months start once the deposit is paid and the resume and motivation letter of the participant are checked and given final approval by Stage-USA.

When a participant agrees to a position verbally or in writing, the deposit will not be reimbursed and the participant will be charged the full mediation cost.

The participant is responsible for the position and program description during the interview. If any other involved institutions to not agree with the program or position offer, the participant is responsible. The participant must inform Stage-USA during the interview of all the restrictions of any other parties involved.

Article 9. Location of Program

The participant has the option to specify a location preference for their program; however Stage-USA reserves the right to explore other location options. Participants who specify a location preference will be charged an extra €150 in addition to the deposit.